Questions around this news
What happens during stage three and stage four commissioning at the Samphire pilot plant?
The release says pre-operation work will include stage three dry commissioning and stage four wet commissioning, beginning in January 2026. It does not describe the specific tests involved in either stage. The stages follow the completion of construction and the first two commissioning stages, which covered construction verification and plant energisation.
When are field recovery trials at the Samphire project expected to begin and finish?
Alligator says field recovery trial work is expected to start in February 2026. The trials are forecast to be completed in the June quarter of 2026, with early field recovery results expected in the March quarter. The release says the trial outcomes will feed into the project’s Bankable Feasibility Study.
What is a Bankable Feasibility Study?
A Bankable Feasibility Study is a detailed assessment of whether a proposed project is technically achievable and financially viable. It typically examines areas such as engineering, costs, operations, risks, and permitting, providing information that can support financing and investment decisions. The scope and requirements can vary by project and industry.
What are field recovery trials in uranium project development?
Field recovery trials test whether a proposed method can recover a resource under real site conditions. For uranium projects, these trials can help assess the practical performance of recovery processes and provide data for later technical and economic studies. The methods and measures used depend on the project’s geology and planned extraction approach.
What permitting and resource-estimate work is planned for Samphire in 2026?
The release says the mining lease permitting process is underway and that an updated mineral resource estimate is planned for the first half of 2026. It gives no further detail about the permitting timetable or the expected contents or findings of the updated estimate. The company says these activities will run alongside the field recovery trials.
December 19, 2025 -- Alligator Energy (ASX:AGE) has completed the construction of its pilot plant at the Samphire Uranium Project in South Australia, confirming the conclusion of stage one and two commissioning.
Stage one commissioning focused on the verification of construction, with stage two following the energisation of the plant. Construction began in October 2025, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Alligator says the practical completion of the pilot plan was achieved safely, on schedule, and under budget.
CEO Andrea Marsland-Smith describes the practical completion as a “major step forward” for the project, demonstrating Alligator’s ability to execute project milestones safely and efficiently.
“The team has delivered an incredibly high quality facility within the planned schedule and budget, which positions us strongly as we move into final commissioning and trial operations,” Marsland-Smith says.
“We are excited to enter this next phase and look forward to delivering early field recovery results in the March quarter of 2026, with field recovery trials (FRT) expected to be completed in the June quarter of 2026 and the outcomes feeding directly into the Bankable Feasibility Study, which is targeted for completion in early 2027.
“Running in parallel with the FRT, 2026 is expected to be a busy year, with the mining lease permitting process underway and an updated mineral resource estimate planned for the first half of 2026.”
Alligator will begin FRT work at the Samphire Project in February 2026. Control of the site has been transferred back to the company for pre-operation activities.
Pre-operation activities include stage three dry and stage four wet commissioning, beginning in January 2026.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
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At a glance
- Company
- Alligator Energy
- Ticker
- ASX: AGE
- Location
- South Australia
People
- Andrea Marsland-SmithCEO
